IF York City are to make progress in this season's FA Cup, keeping one-time Gunner Isaiah Rankin under close surveillance will be a top priority.

The former Arsenal trainee, now aged 25, has never been the most prolific scorer but has always proved a handful for opposition defences with his pace.

This season though, Rankin has found his goalscoring touch for Barnsley.

Four league goals in just ten starts may not place him among the Division Two's leading marksmen, but it has doubled his entire goal collection for the Tykes.

Since joining Barnsley in 2001, Rankin, who was former Tykes' boss Nigel Spackman's first signing, has struggled with injuries and for goals.

However, he ensured his place in Oakwell folklore last season when he scored the goal that guaranteed cash-strapped Barnsley's Division Two status.

Rankin had previously enjoyed spells with Colchester, Birmingham and Bolton.

When he moved to Valley Parade from Arsenal in 1998 Bradford shelled out £1.3million for his services, which was then a club transfer record for the Bantams.

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, November 08, 2003